In a surprising move, the Israeli government has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s plans for a “Board of Peace” to oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. The board, which was announced by the White House on Saturday, includes high-profile figures such as Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, a Qatari official, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office has stated that this initiative “was not coordinated with Israel and runs contrary to its policy.” This marks a significant departure from the typical close cooperation between Israel and the US on matters related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The “Gaza Executive Board,” as it is officially known, is part of Trump’s broader 20-point plan to end the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The board is expected to temporarily oversee the running of Gaza and manage its reconstruction efforts. A separate “founding Executive Board” will focus on investment and diplomacy.
Notably, the only Israeli member of the Gaza Executive Board is Yakir Gabay, a businessman born in Israel but now based in Cyprus. There are no Palestinian representatives on either of the senior boards. This has drawn criticism from Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, who called the announcement a “diplomatic failure for Israel.”
The inclusion of officials from Qatar and Turkey, both of which have been critical of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, has also raised concerns within the Israeli government. The National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, went so far as to say that “the Gaza Strip does not need any ‘administrative committee’ to oversee its ‘rehabilitation’ – it needs to be cleansed of Hamas terrorists.”
The overarching “Board of Peace” will be chaired by President Trump and is expected to include world leaders from the UK, Hungary, Argentina, Jordan, Turkey, India, and Egypt. However, only Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, has so far confirmed his acceptance of the role.
The announcement of the board has been met with a cautious response from governments worldwide. The UK government, for instance, has sought more clarity on the committee’s structure and mandate.
Meanwhile, the United Nations has warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is “far from over.” The UN estimates that around 80% of buildings in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, and families who survived the recent conflict are now struggling with the winter weather and a lack of food and shelter.
As the international community grapples with the complex challenges in Gaza, the Israeli government’s rejection of Trump’s “Board of Peace” highlights the ongoing tensions and the difficulty in finding a lasting solution to the region’s long-standing conflict.